Ukrainian nationalists began to oppose Russian trucks that tried to drive on territory of Europe through the West of the country. Thursday, February 11 activists of such organizations as the “Carpathian Sich”, “the sworn Brothers of Ukraine”, as well as ordinary soldiers “anti-terrorist operation” organized a roadblock in front of the village of Nyzhni Vorota, a hundred kilometers from Uzhgorod. As explained by the organizers, this location was chosen because it is not possible to pass those who are moving toward the border of Slovakia and Hungary from Kiev. In the opposite direction, according to preliminary information, the car passed.
On Friday the activists who joined “Right sector” *, which immediately was dubbed the “Bear of the blockade.” During the day this activity was deployed on other roads in Western Ukraine, particularly in Volyn region and in Transcarpathia. Media reported that a group of activists blocking the passage right on the border with Belarus. The country is not available only the trucks with Russian numbers, but the trucks just drive Russian goods. According to the organizers, they will block the passage of heavy trucks to Russian until Russia does not recognize the aggressor country and will not prohibit the transit officially.
Law enforcement, meanwhile, quietly watching the “action” and does not prevent reversal of the Russian trucks. Moreover, in comments to the Ukrainian TV spokesman for Netpolice Galina Sarnivka stated that the stopped car with the license plates of the Russian Federation no, the action takes place peacefully and within the law.
It is noteworthy that their blockade, the nationalists began on the day when Moscow and Kiev at the official level have reached agreement on transit transport and exchanged temporary quotas. Ukraine gave Russia permission for transit transportation of cargoes and irregular transit of passengers by road, and received a similar admission. Prior to that, the transit of goods from Ukraine through Russia to Asia has been almost totally abandoned because of the new rules, introduced in January. According to the decree of Vladimir Putin, the goods from Ukraine could follow in Kazakhstan through Belarus and only in the sealed compartments. As a result, Ukraine received a temporary quota on transit, but the Russian trucks was “officially” blocked.
This is especially unpleasant if to consider that from 1 January discontinued operations between Russia and Poland. Recall that the parties are unable to agree on volumes of cargo transportations between the countries suspended the negotiations. As a result, Poland did not renew the existing agreement on the passage of wagons, and now travel across the country for heavy vehicles prohibited. Deputy transport Minister Nikolay Asaul said that Russian carriers will actively to Charter ferries and go around Poland. However, their bandwidth is limited, and to wait their turn truckers account for a few weeks.
That is why the carriers started to use detours through the territory of Ukraine. Earlier this week, the media reported a small accumulation of trucks on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, but then they followed along its route without any problems. Even though official permission from Kiev for the transit has not happened.
Experts do not exclude that Ukrainian nationalists are not alone, but with the filing of “Polish friends”. After all, the next round of talks between Moscow and Warsaw will be held on February 15, and overlap almost the entire freight traffic with Europe can be used as an additional argument. Moreover, obkatat “blockade” in Crimea, nationalists can do better.
The Russian authorities will have to determine how big is the harm that might be caused by “activists” blockade of Russian goods, or alternative ways of delivery of goods can be levelled. And, of course, another question is, how to influence the Ukrainian side and to convince to act in a legislative way.
— The fight with the Russian carriers — this is just an excuse in order to establish private customs posts, — said the chief editor of the project “However. Eurasia” Semen Uralov. — We deal with decomposition of the statehood in Ukraine. The emergence of private customs — this is the first sign of this degradation. Let me remind you that the first private customs posts appeared in the Donbas, where the checkpoints controlled by the representatives of different battalions and collected his bribe. Then came the same points on the border with Crimea. All this was done, I emphasize, under the pretext of the struggle against the external enemy. But in fact it’s feudal fragmentation, which is sinking deeper into Ukraine.
“SP”: — That is, it is done without the consent of the Central authorities?
Kiev can not always control the situation. Of course, if they would feel shafted, then you can do something. Let me remind you that the Central government was wiped out by “Right sector” in Transcarpathia last summer. This story is of the same order.
“SP”: — what this blockade will eventually lead?
— Russian air carriers will likely have to pay additional fees. But in fact fall under the distribution of everything. Transcarpathia is a very remote area that is hard to control. Most likely, all will end so that it will be easy to avoid.
“SP”: — Through other regions of Ukraine?
— No. See, Poland is not let in the Russian trucks. Ukraine starts to create obstacles in this direction. So, we need to forget about road transport and to develop other way, the same rail. Why would they let the train derailed. This is already a guerrilla war. Between Russia and the collective West is a trade and economic war, and we need to be prepared for such of its manifestations.
The Chairman of the Board of Association “Mezhregionavtotrans” Sergey Khrapach believes that the impact on Ukraine is possible only with retaliation.
The law in this situation is clearly not on the side of the Ukrainian activists, but the Central authorities seem to indirectly support their actions so as to harm our country. Naturally, such a corridor through Ukraine would be relevant, especially for perishable goods. If the blockade is successful, our carriers will have to find alternative ways of a detour, but they are almost there.
To Belarus, we might be able to get through Poland, but had some misunderstandings. If Ukraine will be closed, this automatically means the loss of Hungary and Slovakia. If you take the South, Turkey is also now closed for our carriers. You can use the ferry links across the Baltic sea. But lengthening the shoulder increases the cost of transportation, which increases the cost of the goods as imported into the territory of the Russian Federation and exported. In any event, our producers and consumers will be more money to pay and receiving less.
“SP”: — What can you do in this situation?
Usually in international law using a tool such as a retortion, when in response to the infringement of one country similarly violated the rights of the other. Our government may make formal note to the Ukrainian authorities. And when they do not respond, what will almost certainly happen, the Russian Federation will have the right to apply its own measures to the Ukrainian carriers, which will stimulate the beginning of a mutual dialogue.
Unfortunately, in Ukraine common sense less and less, and dominated by unnecessary state control emotions. Therefore, the situation is likely to develop on such a negative scenario. And pay, ultimately, consumers and producers.
“SP”: — But the actions of Ukraine are contrary to international law?
— Ukraine is a sovereign country, so our laws there do not matter. With regard to international organizations, they could really protest. But the problem is that the government of Ukraine formally does not have this embargo in any way. He can say that all this is the work of hooligans, with whom Kiev is trying to fight all the forces. They may even prosecute the case and detain 15 people bullies, but the rest will remain free and will continue to do what I’ve been doing.
“SP”: — Even the WTO cannot do anything?
The WTO regulates the passage of goods between countries, but most of this applies different customs duties. With regard to transit traffic, it is regulated by international conventions. But, I repeat, formally, Ukraine these conventions are not violated. It does not take permission from the carriers, prevents the passage of customs control. To sue in the WTO or the international court of justice will be very difficult. Kiev is easily justified by the fact that it is local law enforcement is not doing their duties. The only way to retaliate against the Ukrainian carriers. This alone can cause a reaction of Kiev.
“SP”: — Can this blockade be coordinated with Poland?
Is not excluded. The West of Ukraine maintains close ties with Poland. This can be a multi-move chess combination aimed to intensify the dialogue between the Russian Federation and Poland on the passage of goods in transit.
“SP”: — if we depend from the truck transportation?
Historically the vast majority of freight and passenger turnover in the Russian Federation have on the car. First of all, this service is relatively cheap, secondly, there is high competition, making conditions even more favorable. Railways compared with road transport holds high tariffs, in addition, there was less mobility and the guarantee of cargo safety. The carriage of goods by rail will require more time and expense.
Although if all roads for trucks will block the message, of course, will go by sea and by rail. But all this will increase the transportation cost and the final cost to the consumer. In addition, it will impact on the competitiveness of our products in Europe, the price of which will also rise. Therefore, the issue with Poland need to solve, it will greatly facilitate the life and carriers, and consumers with producers.
Independent transport expert Alexei Bezborodov believes that container shipping could be a way out of the situation with autoblocked.
— This way there are not such large volumes of trade. That is, it is possible to send to Hungary and Slovakia on the middle route through Novorossiysk, Constanta, and then on the Danube. So you can deliver the goods in the containers are cheap and cheerful. I do not understand those people who found themselves on the border of Ukraine, considering that the official Kiev only recently allowed transit to third countries through its territory.
Why do we need transportation through Ukraine and Belarus? Everything that we supply to Europe and import from there, and that does not fall under the sanctions, it is absolutely safe to carry in the containers even though the South to Novorossiysk, though the North to St. Petersburg. It will be cheaper, although a bit slower. But no one will die, I assure you.
